ADVANCE ~ September

AustChamThailand

A MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN-THAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AUSTRALIA THAILAND BUSINESS COUNCIL www.austchamthailand.com September 2010

Educational Supplement

business brief business brief Office Rents in Asia Rise 2.1% Ending ‘Play Rugby in Thailand?

7 Consecutive Quarters of Decline – Sure do!’

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Cyber Safety & Climate Change

member profile Golden Future Build on an Excellent Track Record

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Getting Bobbleheaded Over an iPad

chamber events Phuket Sundowners at the Royal Phuket Marina on 30 July 2010

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Contents

business brief 06 Cyber Safety and Climate Change 10 Getting Bobbleheaded Over an iPad 12 Office Rents in Asia Rise 2.1% Ending Seven Consecutive Quarters of Decline 16 ‘Play Rugby in Thailand? – Sure do!’

embassy News 18 Face to Face: Portraiture in a Digital Age

PATRON His Excellency Paul Grigson Australian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand PRESIDENT Andrew Durieux Coverage Portfolio: Regional Links

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24 Member profile 30 Golden Future Build on an Excellent Track Record

chamber Events 32 Luncheon – Tax Planning for Australian Expats 32 Key Issues Dinner on 14 July 2010 34 Phuket Marine Industry Seminar on 30 July 2010 35 Phuket Sundowners at the Royal Phuket Marina on 30 July 2010

M.L. Laksasubha Kridakon Baan Laksasubha Resort Hua Hin Portfolio: Alumni and Sponsorship TREASURER Nigel McKinnon Boral Thailand Portfolio: Treasury

educational supplement 20 Outdoor Classroom 21 Council of International Schools (CIS) Involvement 22 Sports Awards at the Grand Hyatt Erawan:A Night to Remember 23 What Counts 24 Outstanding Recognition Where It Counts

VICE-PRESIDENTS John Anderson Meinhardt Portfolio: Community Services

DIRECTORS David Armstrong Post Publishing Portfolio: Talks and Issues

20 25 Classrooms Equipped with State-of-the-art Sound System 26 Round Square Week 27 ‘Team Shrewsbury’ 28 The Aussie Centre in Action – Helping Thai Teachers Nationwide 36 AustCham All Chambers Sundowners at Centara Grand NEW MEMBERS 38 AustCham’s New Members and Changes of Member Companies Members’ offers 41 AustCham Members’ Offers From the Chamber Office 42 Message from the ED

Achara Boonyahansa Grant Thornton Portfolio: Marketing Amanda Canavan Energi Design Asia Portfolio: Major Events Jurairat Jammanee HASSELL Portfolio: Alumni and Sponsorship Leigh Scott-Kemmis DBM Portfolio: SME Belinda Skinner TopTalentAsia Portfolio: Communications Ben Yong Baker & McKenzie Portfolio: Joint Foreign Chamber of Commerce Thailand, Board of Trade and Other Links Saeed Zaki dwp Portfolio: Member Benefits Ex Officio Maurine Lam Trade Commissioner, Austrade

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From the Board

Peace and Quiet?

COORDINATORS Paul Whyte ESB Coordinator Email: esb@austchamthailand.com Paul Wilkinson AGS Four Winds International Moving ESB Coordinator Email: esb@austchamthailand.com Steve Brajak Raimon Land Phuket Coordinator Email: phuket@austchamthailand.com Harry Usher Lady Pie Phuket Coordinator Email: phuket@austchamthailand.com Executive Director Brett Gannaway Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce 20th Floor, Thai CC Tower 889 South Sathorn Road Bangkok 10120 Tel.: +66 2 210 0216 Fax: +66 2 675 6696 execdirector@austchamthailand.com www.austchamthailand.com

Editorial Committee Belinda Skinner, David Armstrong, Robert Taylor, Josh Hyland, Gregers Moller, Gary Woollacott Marketing & Production Scand-Media Corp. Ltd 4/41-42 Moo 3, Thanyakarn Village Ramintra Soi 14, Bangkok Tel.: +66 2 943-7166/8 Fax: +66 2 943-7169 scandmedia@scandmedia.com Advertising Finn Balslev Email: finn@scandmedia.com Contributions to Advance magazine are welcome. Please submit content to josh@austchamthailand.com by the first day of the month for publication in the following month’s magazine.

Opinions expressed in Advance do not necessarily reflect the views of the Chamber.

AustChamThailand Advance

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fter all the events of the past few months it felt strange to have a largely uneventful August. We held our All Chambers Sundowners, which despite the rain (and being held in a venue that was so recently the centre of attention for all the wrong reasons) still attracted almost 600 networkers.

There were a number of other business lunches, JFCCT and government meetings. We also held very successful Phuket Sundowners with well over 120 guests. (Watch out Bangkok and ESB – Phuket is coming).

During the month we welcomed a trade delegation from Australia, supported by the Thai government. A briefing was provided on AustCham and the Thailand business environment from a Farang perspective; two days later one of the delegates called for help filling out their Board of Investment application!

Another delegate said he wished he had heard about the benefits being provided by the BOI and the opportunities in Asia 20 years ago.

I reported previously that I had met with a business group in Melbourne in July and it is heartening to see so much positive interest in Thailand after the recent events. But this is also a reminder that Thailand has done a lot of damage to itself externally and really needs to lift its marketing. No longer will the “Land of Smiles” slogan be a good enough to attract investors and tourists.

The long-awaited “new” airport link is now open (you will recall that AustCham members had a chance to take a test ride in October last year), and the Map Ta Phut situation is finally becoming clearer, with the draft list of industries requiring the Environmental Impact Assessments and the Health Impact Assessments finally being released and under review.

The impending 3G spectrum auction is very big news but is causing AustCham and our fellow Foreign Chambers some concern. The NTC has tabled some ideas concerning foreign dominance as part of its review of companies running the current and 3G mobile phone services and it seems that the concepts being applied will extend beyond the existing rules within the Foreign Business Act. This is worrying, as it may be

a trend applied in other industries and could affect our members in the future.

Companies need consistency and predictability to be able to make long-term investment decisions and more months of relative quiet and stability would be helpful.

Of course, there were two also Australian Government events in August : one here in Bangkok, the other a hotly contested election back at home –at the time of writing a hung parliament and a minority government seem the most likely outcome.

Our Ambassador HE Paul Grigson has been promoted to a senior role back in Canberra and he has now left Bangkok.

His replacement, HE James Wise, has stepped in and is busy with meeting the various Thai government parties and attending his Thai-language training.

I have been in Thailand for only three Ambassadors but I recall that when HE Bill Paterson arrived he was faced with the Tsunami within a week and when Mr Grigson arrived the airport was closed a couple of weeks later. I truly hope that the new ambassador is not faced with any similar serious event.

Congratulations and thanks to the outgoing ambassador. and good luck in Canberra. Welcome to the new Ambassador. I am sure all of you will soon have a chance to meet and get to know him. AustCham hopes to keep the open and supportive arrangements that we have today.

Lastly, don’t forget that the AFL Grand Final is fast approaching. I hate to say it but it looks like Collingwood are the stand-out team and should be a shoe- in for the big day. Will it be against either of last year’s finalists – the attacking Cats or the super-defensive Saints? Book your tickets early for AustCham’s traditional grand final party. It will be a great family day.

Andrew Durieux President, AustCham Thailand www.austchamthailand.com September 2010

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Business brief

Cyber Safety and Climate Change

By Louis Leahy

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ontinued lapses in network security are holding back more activities being conducted online. Poor security leads to distrust and this stifles adoption of technological change. If cyber security is better designed it will increase user certainty and it will result in greater use of the internet and better accumulation of skills by users and

foster changes in user habits and the way commerce is undertaken. There will be a greater adoption of new methods of communication which will greatly assist the planet in reducing the requirements for people to travel unnecessarily.

This can’t happen too soon; if climate experts are to be believed, it is a matter of urgency. Even if they are not to be believed the fact is that at the current increasing rates of energy consumption and prices projected shortages are going to eventually dictate changes if technological developments in renewable and efficient energy use are not developed fast enough. It will just then be a question of whether we tackle those problems in the context of a significantly degraded environment.

At present armies of people travel each day from their homes to various places of work in metropolitan regions all over the world; many in private motor vehicles.

Sadly governments have been ploughing huge investments into infrastructure to cope with this traffic demand that could be used to invest in the infrastructure that will be required in the future, for example better communications and

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September 2010

public transport. Many of these people are white collar workers doing jobs on computers or using paper based systems or a combination of both that could well be done from their own residence without the need for travel to an office or meeting venue but only occur in this manner because organisations have yet to come to terms with controlling processes and protecting information in an online working environment.

an additional level of security however these are not practical in many circumstances and lead to additional costs of maintenance and device capability to cater for the additional system requirements. There is an ever increasing variety of operating systems on client equipment to cater for and when combined with the increasing numbers of updates it becomes unwieldy for system administrators. A solution such as Armorlogs’

Secure remote access is critical to the process and yet still today most remote access to information systems, processes, networks and applications are controlled by a user name that is not masked, a password that has insufficient controls and with no lockouts to prevent hacking attempts because to do so results in users being locked out when hacking attempts are made. Many organisations inadvertently publicise where their most valuable asset, their customers, logon and may unintentionally inconvenience and confuse their existing customers when running promotions to attract new customers and vice versa. There are many client side solutions that purport to secure client computers for authentication but in truth most of these will not detect a compromised client device. Strength must come from a properly constructed set of routines that test the veracity of the person seeking to gain entry to the network. The solution provided by Armorlog is the only solution for networks, computers and intelligent devices with a graphical user interface capability that does this.

that is server side based can alleviate this demand and will be of significant value for network administrators.

If required tokens or certificates can be

Secure authentication access will become even more paramount as more organisations move to virtualised computer services and hosted applications i.e. cloud computing. The challenge will be to operate systems that allow for memorable sets of access credentials that users can easily remember while having a system that is designed to deploy sufficient complexity and sophistication to deter hacking attacks. In doing this security will be improved and users and organisations will have more confidence to allow remote computing to be undertaken by more of their work force. If security is properly developed in authentication methods more purchasing will occur online reducing the need for travel. This may also facilitate more efficient goods transfer systems as transport logistics specialists may benefit from increasing outsourced volumes.

Collaboration for freight distribution may not come about by organisations acting alone it may be important that outsourc-

AustChamThailand Advance

Business brief

efficient use of transport. Obviously the improvement of security and safety on the internet is of paramount importance in any case but if climate scientists are correct then this is perhaps a more urgent task than might otherwise be apparent.

ing for goods transportation is encouraged to facilitate maximum efficiency to assist in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Facilitating online commerce will assist in this process. As businesses customer bases become more disparate it will necessitate the outsourcing of goods movements by more and more organisations which in turn will facilitate development of transport logistics. This will occur more quickly when online security is properly deployed and organisations can feel safe in decentralising information management processes and procedures and user can feel more confident in dealing with online merchants.

Improving computer, network and internet security will facilitate this and consequently will indirectly help to reduce

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September 2010

About the writer Louis Leahy is the inventor of VPCSML a new authentication technology and a Director of the technology vendor Armorlog International Ltd. More details about VPCSML can be obtained at: www.amorlog.com

pollution by creating a safer environment to encourage more commerce to be conducted online, resulting in more

A short audio visual overview of VPCSML is available at http://www. armorlog.com.au/page4.html and select the password protected download on the lower half of the page.

AustChamThailand Advance

Cure Back Pain Instantly and Return to a Happy Life Most people tend to downplay their back pain and avoid seeking professional attention. Often analgesic drugs and some rest are the preferred choice to make the pain bearable. But not having the correct treatment can worsen the situation to the point of immobility.

In modern medicine surgery time is shortened, the incision minimal and rehabilitation faster.

Associate Professor Doctor Wicharn Yingsakmongkol, BNH’s leading Spine Specialist, comments:

The foundations for successful treatment are the • Right Diagnosis - Finding the root cause for the symptoms enables the doctor to determine the correct cause of action.

• Right Time - Regardless if it is mild or severe pain, the origin of the pain should be detected. Avoidance can only worsen the situation and an early consultation can help elucidate the symptoms in order to determine the therapy needed. Should a surgery be necessary, timely action can reduce recovery time and improve the success rate. Most importantly, early treatment allows the bones to heal in a more normal way as nerve damage is less advanced.

• Right Treatment - There are many types of treatments available. Each treatment is suitable for different symptoms and there is not only one applicable to all. Everything depends on the agreement of the patient and the attending doctor. It is important for the patient to understand the details of the different options to achieve the most satisfactory result.

• Right Doctor - Experience and expertise play a vital role in the treatment. Treatment by a specialist lessens the risk of erroneous diagnosis and needless treatments. Hence the treatment by a specialist enhances the chance of success.

Before

After

New methods of surgery… Artificial Disc Replacement The conventional treatment of herniated discs is to remove the problematic disc. After removal the patient might be indeed pain free, but after a couple of years the vertebral body degenerates and it might not withstand normal demands, which causes, in the long run, elevated pain.

In contrast modern treatment prefers the “Artificial Disc Replacement” where only a small incision is used which is about one centimeter long and requires only two stitches. The recovery time is significantly reduced and this state-of-the-art treatment shows excellent results.

Modern treatments promise shorter surgery time, less pain, faster recovery and therefore fastest possible return to normal activities. In some cases the surgery takes just a couple of minutes and does not require an overnight stay in the hospital.

While modern technology can protect you from illnesses to a large extent, it is still advisable to take good care of your health and avoid situations that can be detrimental for your back. Prevention is better than cure.

Business brief

Getting Bobbleheaded Over an iPad Beware of strangers asking for gifts from far away By: Andrew Biggs

to be a bother, but could you buy me a bobblehead na ka?’’

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onventional wisdom has it that a blink of an eye lasts 400 milliseconds. For me, it is more like three months. That’s how I feel as I pack my two meager suitcases to leave the bustling, crazy world of Los Angeles for the bustling, crazy world of Bangkok. There are people to farewell, tequila bars to visit, dinners to attend, and tequila bars to visit — did I repeat myself just then? There’s been the quick trip up to Hollywood Boulevard to buy tacky souvenirs.

Art does not belong in the same folder as Lek. Art is a close friend of mine; she’s the PR lady for BEC-Tero, a very attractive woman probably pushing 35 years of age but still looking in her mid-20s without a single clandestine visit to Yanhee. She has everything she could possibly want in her life – beautiful face, great figure, good job and a cute Italian husband. Everything, that is, but a bobblehead.

What I didn’t count on were requests, out of the blue, to buy things.

Back in the 1990s and early 2000s Thais had a sudden, inexplicable love affair with David Jones face cream from Australia.

David Jones of all brands! Far be it for me to look down on it (I’m all for sudden, inexplicable love affairs), but it meant that every time I went home I received countless orders.

I don’t frequent David Jones that often, being more of a Best And Less boy, so it meant having to trek into inner-city Brisbane, never the best of places for anybody even slightly unhinged, and battle the crowds to pick up bottles of the stuff.

Nice guys finish last, that’s all I can say.

The weight of the damned bottles put me over my limit and I had to pay extra for my suitcase. Three of the bottles broke on the way back, with face cream infiltrating all my stylish new Best And Less T-shirts and boxer shorts.

Anybody who does business in this part of the world knows that getting money out of people at the best of times is akin to getting platelets—nothing as easy as blood —out of a stone. I didn’t get payment for any of the bottles, intact or otherwise, leaving me and my Visa card all alone to sort out the mess.

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That was a long time ago and foolishly forgotten by me. Let’s jump forward to late June 2010, when the emails start to trickle in once again. ‘‘How are you kaaaaa!

This is Lek. I miss you soooo much. Can you buy me a white Adidas shirt na ka? I enclose the ad. I want the small size and the white shirt, NOT BLUE. Thank you so much Khun Andrew ka.’’

How nice to hear from Lek. She hasn’t been in contact since she unsuccessfully tried to sell me insurance back in 2008.

Lek lives in Ubon Ratchathani, so I guess the cost of sending her NOT BLUE Adidas shirt there from Bangkok is on me.

As for receiving payment, well, an image of a broken David Jones bottle comes to mind, and my index finger hits the delete button.

Art’s email comes next. ‘‘How are you Khun Andrew? I don’t want

What the hell is a bobblehead, anyway? Art supplies me with a link. It’s a tall doll whose head ‘‘bobbles’’ back and forth with the mere touch of an index finger. They are in the shape of all sorts of famous people – Barack Obama, Shaquille O’Neal, the Lord Buddha, Rush Limbaugh – and it seems Art’s life will not be complete without one.

By a freakish coincidence I am in a Washington D.C. souvenir shop when I spy an Obama bobblehead next to the Lincoln Memorial ashtrays. In their boxes, four bobbleheads – if I were crazy enough to buy them – would fill up one of my meager suitcases. Beautiful Art will have to remain bobble-less.

More interesting is the email that arrives from Ethan. ‘‘Khun Andrew! My Thai brother lives in LA and he bought me an iPad. I need somebody to bring it back for me. I enclose a map to my brother’s house.’’ Sure enough, Ethan’s Thai brother lives exactly 50 kilometers away from me in the urban sprawl of Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley.

Perhaps the most outrageous thing about this request is I don’t know Ethan’s Thai brother. I don’t even know Ethan. He’s one AustChamThailand Advance

Business brief

of my 5,000 Facebook friends who read I was coming home and figured I could be his electronic mule.

Did you think I escaped with only one iPad request?

How ironic that my American trip is book ended by my dear friend Evil Neil’s purchases of iPads in the USA. I have well chronicled his exploits here, suffice to say Neil is a user. He is addicted to electronic gadgets and gets dark panda eyes and a pallid expression the moment he is away from drugs that go by the name of Blackberry and Apple. ‘‘I’d like to order a 64 gigabyte iPad,’’ he writes. Notice there are no ‘‘I miss youuuu’’s or ‘‘na ka’’s to soften the blow. It seems three months with a normal 16 gigabyte iPad has stretched Neil’s attention span.

He needs the 64 gigabyte version and he needs it now. ‘‘Best to order it right away,’’ he suggests in his email, but I don’t since I’m on the way to Washington DC.

When I get back to LA I go down to the Apple store at The Grove. It’s two days before I leave the States, and there are hundreds of Americans with faces like Neil’s in a long line that snakes out of the store. It reminds me of a methadone line. They are all waiting to shoot up the new iPhone 4G that came out the day before and which sold one million units in its first day. I sashay past the crowd like Lady Gaga outside a nightclub. I don’t want a brand new iPhone. I want a boring old iPad. Bad news. ‘‘There’s a two week waiting list for those,’’ the friendly young lady tells me.

An hour later I am in that tequila bar when I call Neil to give him the news.

bobblehead for Art. I didn’t tell you about the friend who wanted seeds from an American lemon, nor the one who wanted the latest copy of Hustler.

But there is a happy ending. The morning I am leaving, I am down at The Grove for a farewell brunch. On a whim I pop across to the Apple store and get this — there is a 64 gigabyte Apple available! Somebody ordered the wrong spec or something; it doesn’t matter. It’s 3.00am in Bangkok when I call Neil asking if he still wants it.

‘‘I TOLD YOU!’’ he screams, his words jettisoning across the Pacific into my dinky old Nokia. ‘‘DIDN’T I TELL YOU?’’

I can hear the arch-angels’ harmonies resounding across the darkened Bangkok sky directly over Neil’s riverside apartment as he hears the news. ‘‘YES! YES! GET IT! GET IT!’’ he croaks like a frog on heat. Darkness still prevails in the skies above Lek, Art, Ethan and all the others, however.

And so my name is mud. Now I’m the evil one because I dared not to pick up an iPad for Neil, or a white Adidas shirt for Lek, or an arthead for Bobble—I mean a

But at least I made one person happy on my return, and at least the stress of other people’s requests didn’t drive me out of my bobble head.

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AustChamThailand Advance

September 2010

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business brief

Office Rents in Asia Rise 2.1% Ending Seven Consecutive Quarters of Decline Greater China leads regional growth in demand for premium office

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sia’s leading commercial centres recorded impressive growth in office demand in the second quarter of 2010 as the steady regional economic recovery encouraged multinational companies to reactivate expansion plans suspended earlier after the onset of the global financial crisis, according to a leading international property consultants CB Richard Ellis.

Led by strong growth in Greater China, overall office rents in Asia rose 2.1% in the second quarter of 2010, ending seven consecutive quarters of decline.

Overall vacancy declined by 90 basis points quarter-on-quarter to 10.9%.

The increased level of enquiry for office space during the second quarter did not immediately translate into leasing transactions. However, this suggests that the leasing market will remain active over the coming quarters.

“Within the second quarter, Greater China witnessed the largest upsurge in leasing activity with both multinational and domestic corporations quite active in taking up space in major cities.

The total net absorption of prime office space in Hong Kong and first-tier Chinese cities, namely Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, collectively accounted for three quarters of the regional aggregate in the second quarter,” explained Mr. Andrew Ness, Executive Director of CBRE Research Asia.

“Office rentals in these cities also recorded a larger magnitude of growth compared to other Asian cities. Singapore was another standout performer, with Grade A rents returning to growth after six consecutive quarters of decline,” added Mr. Ness.

Elsewhere across Asia, robust demand

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has as yet to induce significant hardening in rentals as landlords competed to fill space amid relatively high availability and, in certain markets, a large quantum of future supply scheduled to come onstream over short-to-medium term.

Commenting on the outlook for the remainder of this year Andrew Ness said, “The Asian office market is expected to remain relatively muted for the remainder of 2010. Companies continue to be confident about the regional economic outlook, but concerns over a slower global economic recovery following the outbreak of the eurozone debt crisis will probably curtail aggressive expansion by multinationals over the short-term.”

Thailand In Thailand, overall business conditions improved, as reflected in an increase in the Business Sentiment Index (BSI) to 49.9 in May, up from 46 in April. The improvement was driven by an increase in all BSI components, especially production which resumed its normal level after the ending of the protests. Vacancy rates of Grade A CBD offices declined slightly to 16.45% in the second quarter of 2010 (compared to 17.4% in the first quarter of 2010), with a net absorption of 10,160 sq.m. The growth in take-up was due to the relocation of an international bank to a Grade A office building from a Grade B building. Prime office rents stood at THB 680 per sq.m. (US$ 1.95 per sq.ft.) per month in the second quarter of 2010, compared to THB 683 in the first quarter of 2010.

Japan In Japan the Tankan economic survey confirmed that the country’s economic

recovery was continuing and that businesses were regaining confidence. The turnaround in the economy encouraged some tenants to relocate to higher grade buildings or to those in more convenient locations. In some selected cases, companies expanded their footprint and moved to buildings with more space.

However, overall demand for office space in Tokyo remained weak and rents were unchanged over the quarter.

Korea In Korea, office demand in Seoul increased along with the improvement in corporate sentiment, but notwithstanding this fact, the average vacancy for Grade A office properties continued to climb as new space was added to the market. New buildings scheduled for launching in the second half were observed offering below-market rents to recruit tenants. Rental growth in Seoul is expected to remain limited in forthcoming quarters, although office leasing demand should remain stable as the economy is expected to hold up well.

Hong Kong In Hong Kong, near full occupancy in premium Grade A buildings and the strong recovery in demand from investment banks drove CBD rental growth of 8.4% quarter-on quarter. Office buildings in decentralised locations attracted strong interest from companies looking to relocate and consequently enjoyed a brisk rate of absorption. Looking ahead, large space users will be hard pressed to find available space citywide given the lack of current options and rents are expected to see further growth in light of the limited quantum of new supply in the pipeline.

AustChamThailand Advance

business brief

Mainland China In Beijing, all the major office submarkets recorded growth in rentals with citywide prime office rents climbing 4.1% quarter-on-quarter. The Financial Street and Zhongguancun areas saw demand for prime office space outstrip supply although the CBD continued to record vacancy of over 20% despite the rise in leasing activity. Improved business sentiment and new rounds of hiring also resulted in an active office leasing market in Shanghai.

However, the substantial amount of future supply in the pipeline acted as a counterbalance to landlords’ becoming overly aggressive with respect to excessively raising their quoted rents. Elsewhere, the Guangzhou prime office market continued to recover during the second quarter. Encouraged by the buoyant leasing activity witnessed since the beginning of 2010 and the consequent decline in available space, landlords raised their rental expectations for office buildings that had earlier been launched with more conservative leasing strategies in the preceding quarters.

Taiwan In Taiwan, despite brisk GDP growth in the first half of the year, office occupiers generally remained cost conscious. A significant number of Grade A buildings witnessed the downsizing or departure of SME tenants and hence prime office rentals remained flat.

Singapore Leasing momentum in Singapore remained strong during the second quarter, partly due to pent-up demand from multinationals, which appear mostly to have recovered from the global financial downturn and who are now in a position to engage in cautious expand.

Average prime rents grew 3% quarter-on quarter in the second quarter and vacancy across all micro-markets fell. Although 641,264 sq.m. (6.9 million sq.ft.) of new office space is scheduled

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to come on stream between now and 2015, a portion of existing office stock in the CBD will be redeveloped or converted to other uses, reducing the spectre of oversupply.

India Major Indian office markets continued to see growth in leasing activity but rentals were largely unchanged or showed only incremental growth as the quantum of vacant space outside the CBD area remained significant. The New Delhi office market enjoyed a strong revival with considerable leasing activity reported across the National Capital Region.

However, similar to the previous quarter, rentals in the Grade A segment did not witness any growth. Mumbai reported an increase in enquiries for office space although the growth in interest failed to translate into immediate transactions. Leasing demand was largely driven by corporate consolidation and relocation to achieve cost savings. The Bangalore office market continued to stabilise although landlords were forced to remain flexible when negotiating with tenants as demand still lagged behind prevailing robust levels of availability.

AustChamThailand Advance

Business brief

‘Play Rugby in Thailand? – Sure do!’

By David Dufall

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here’s been many a visitor amazed to learn that rugby is not only being played in Thailand’s tropical heat and all year round but that it had its infancy in about 1909 when the country was called Siam. Some years before, His Majesty King Chulalongkorn provided land to establish a colonial-style club called the “Royal Bangkok Sports Club” (RBSC) members of which included Thai royalty, foreign diplomatic staff, senior staffs from the Army and Navy and influential Thai business people. It was this club which fostered the introduction of rugby in Thailand.

Rugby gained prominence in Thailand as more and more Thais particularly from the Army and Navy returned from overseas, having participated in the sport in England. Khun Chuea Chakansurak is considered the ‘father’

of Thai rugby and in 1929 with training material collected from England, he introduced rugby to the teachers and pupils of Vajiravudh College where the sport is now played by students from 13 to 20 years.

In 1938 Prince Pittayalongkorn established rugby on a corporate basis when the “Siam Rugby Football Union” was formed with the Prince as President, then in 1951 the Union was renamed the “Rugby Football Association of Thailand under the Patronage of His Majesty the King” later to be renamed the Thai Rugby Union.

Rugby’s popularity increased significantly through the 50’s and in 1954 His Majesty presented the “Vajiralongkorn Cup” to improve sporting relations between Thailand and Malaya, a tradition which continues to this day. Since then rugby has progressed measurably, gaining more international exposure within the Asian region, particularly with exchanges of coaching staff and players between Australia and New Zealand.

The Thai National Men’s representative side has yet to win a place in a Rugby World Cup. However following a rapid rise in status and skill levels over the past ten years, Thai Women’s rugby qualified for the inaugural 16-Nation Women’s Rugby World Cup in Dubai in March 2009 by defeating both Japan and China during qualification matches in Hong Kong, but despite two close encounters with Brazil and Spain in the RWC qualifying pools, failed to win a match.

The Thai men’s National team recently competed with China, India and the Philippines in the HSBC Asian Five Nations (A5N) Series, Division Two round of matches (15s) in Delhi, finishing third

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AustChamThailand Advance

Business brief

to avoid relegation to the third division.

This year’s Commonwealth Games will be held in Delhi this October and the Games Committee was able to test run the rugby sevens facilities at the Delhi University.

Thailand is a founding and core member of the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU) and the A5N, the flagship of Asian rugby with a top elite of five nations plus four newly formed tiers of competition across all 28 Asian Rugby Unions gains Thailand much needed experience against international teams from across the world via tournaments such as the Bangkok Sevens and Bangkok Tens.

The Thai Rugby Union now conduct fixtures for the men in two major divisions, several university divisions across the country and at several levels for the juniors. The women are represented primarily in junior levels with the national team being selected mainly from Colleges and Universities. Expatriate clubs, the Southerners and Bangkok Bangers compete in the TRU Division One with Bangkok Japanese entered in Division Two. Other expatriate clubs have been formed in Pattaya, Phuket and Chiang Mai but all of these clubs field Thai players in their ranks.

Thailand’s exposure within the international rugby scene has been reinforced through the staging of the Bangkok Sevens in a format to be included in the next Olympic Games. Since the inaugural Bangkok Sevens in 1995, the tournament has attracted 180 international men’s and women’s teams from around the world and the 16th edition, to be conducted at Klong Chan Stadium over the weekend 29-31 October, will feature 20 top-level men’s outfits from Oceania, South Africa, Europe, the Asian region and Thailand complemented by an eight-team women’s Tournament with teams from Australia, the UAE, Hong Kong and Thailand battling for The Beaumont Partnership Women’s Cup. The Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Foundation will field four representative teams in these tournaments.

Sevens will be held at Bangkok Patana School over the weekend 20/21 November when under 15 years Boys and under 17 years Girls will compete in their respective “Rugby Challenge”. These popular tournaments are conducted for high schools from all parts of Thailand and this year teams from Hong Kong and Laos will also participate.

For more information about rugby in Thailand call “The Colonel” on 081 8225932 and visit: www.bangkoksevens.com

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AustChamThailand Advance

September 2010

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embassy news

Face to Face: Portraiture in a Digital Age An exhibition of Australian new media art

H

ow have new media and digital technologies changed the way we think about portraiture, identity and faces?

What new forms of audience engagement and interaction are made possible by these new technologies?

Face to Face explores new expressions of portraiture in a digital age. The exhibition features works by 14 Australian artists who use a range of media including digital photography, video and interactive installation all of which provide a unique perspective on how digital technologies can reshape our understanding and experience of contemporary identity.

Curated by Kathy Cleland of Sydney Univeristy and presented by Asialink of the University of Melbourne & d/Lux/MediaArts, Face to Face features works by 14 artists: Michele Barker & Anna Munster, Denis Beaubois, Daniel Crooks, Anna Davis & Jason Gee, Emil Goh, Angelica Mesiti, Adam Nash & Mami Yamanaka, David Rosetzky, Rachel Scott, Stelarc and John Tonkin.

Face to Face will be on display from 10 September-17 October 2010 at The Art Center, 7 Floor, Center of Academic Resources, Chulalongkorn University.

The Center is open MondayFriday, 9:00am-7:00pm, Saturday, 9:00am-4:00 pm, and is closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Tel: 02-218 2965.

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AustChamThailand Advance

EDUCATIONAL SUPPLEMENT This for this year’s Educational Supplement, schools that are members of AustCham Thailand were asked to submit their greatest achievement for 2010. We hope that you enjoy reading the latest updates from the international educational institutions in Thailand.

Many thanks to all of those who contributed articles for this year’s supplement.

AustChamThailand Advance

September 2010

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educational Supplement

world, into different systems of education, but all bearing the mark of our school, which is the mark of the scholar, one who loves learning because it is satisfying to himself.” This is a goal that the school still upholds today.

Bangkok Patana School was founded in 1957 to provide a British-type education for the children of expatriates living in Bangkok. While expectations are high and academic achievement is strong, the school’s mission is to ensure that students of different nationalities grow to their full potential as independent learners in a caring British international community.

A not-for-profit school, it has grown significantly during the past 20 years, and is today located on a purpose-built, 17-hectare campus. Facilities include a new, technologically advanced, Arts Centre complete with 600-seat theatre, specialist art rooms and musical recording studios; two libraries; three swimming pools; an indoor sports centre and three full size games pitches.

The school offers a broad-based and challenging curriculum, including extensive opportunities for learning outside the classroom, where students are encouraged to become reflective, inquisitive and critical thinkers. The wish of the founder, Rosamund Stuetzel, was that children leaving Bangkok Patana School would “go on, all over the

Matthew G. Mills Head of School

Outdoor Classroom

nymphs, fishing spiders and climbing perch, a fish known in Thai as Bpla Mor, which can survive on land for short periods of time. The area has also seen regular visits by a Javanese Pond Heron.

Under Mr Palmer’s guidance, the Patana Green Team after-school club has been regularly monitoring the area and trying to keep parts of it clear of ‘alien’ invaders.

“We are trying to stock the area with species that are native to Thailand; there are several plants and animal species that have arrived in this country and have been very successful to the point of taking over,” Mr Palmer said.

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“We have a holding area where we keep unknown species, and we have been putting different mixtures of species together to see how they interact.”

Like any city its size, there are few green spaces where wild plants and animals can thrive that are also suitable and safe enough to take students.

The Outdoor Classroom is divided into three areas, based on the methods used to manage wildlife preserves the world over; a ‘sacrifice’ zone, where students are free to walk around, and includes a plant nursery, tool sheds and a sala where teaching can take place. The interior of the site, including the deepest part of the pond, the island in its middle, and a large area of land that is fenced in, forms the ‘core’ of the site, where students and staff generally do not enter, and where plants and animals are left to develop in an almost completely wild state. Separating the two is a ‘buffer’ zone, which includes areas for students to plant different species for research.

angkok’s modern urban metropolis of concrete, steel and pollution can be a difficult place to teach children about nature.

Bangkok Patana School has created a solution by developing the Outdoor Classroom. This dedicated teaching area next to the sports fields allows students, from Nursery age through to those in Senior Studies, to study plants, insects and other creatures in their natural habitat.

“For a lot of our children, especially those who have grown up in the city all their lives, the notion that the water isn’t polluted or dangerous is quite a revelation,” said Adrian Palmer, Environmental Studies Co-ordinator at Bangkok Patana School, as he strode waist deep in to the pond at the centre of the Outdoor Classroom.

“How many khlongs or other areas of water in Bangkok would you let a child get in? Here we

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can take kindergarten kids pond dipping and it is perfectly safe.”

Work began on the 60 metre by 60 metre piece of former wasteland last summer, and it is now a lush green area that is home to dozens of native species, including freshwater shrimp, dragonfly

“The idea is to model a conservation area for the students,” said Mr Palmer.

“It’s amazing how quickly it has been populated – it shows you that even in the middle of the city, there is wildlife all around.”

AustChamThailand Advance

educational Supplement

O

In addition, the school was invited by the Head Office of the CIS, Madrid, to host a CIS Accreditation Regional Trainers Workshop in March.

Over 50 delegates from international schools in Thailand and other Asian countries attended the full day workshop. This was designed for administrators, teachers and school business managers who would like to become part of a “CIS

KOK INTERN NG AT BA I

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ant and tru

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A British Curriculum School

Bangkok International Preparatory and Secondary School (“Bangkok Prep”) is a private co-educational school now in its eighth year of operation. As the recipient of The Prime Minister’s Export Award 2009 as Best Service Provider in International Education, and with over 500 students, developments are in place to make Bangkok Prep the best mid-sized international school in Thailand.

ver the past year Bangkok International Preparatory & Secondary School (“Bangkok Prep”) has been working closely with the Council of International Schools (CIS), an organisation in international education for the accreditation of schools and best practice development. The school is currently working towards triple accreditation for CIS, New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Office for National Education Standards and Quality Assessment (ONESQA).

In September 2009, the school welcomed CIS representative Mr. Peter Gittins for a four day preliminary accreditation visit. During the visit he met with representatives from a wide cross section of the school community as well as leading workshops for the Board of Directors and staff. A comprehensive report about the school’s ability to meet the standards expected of an International School was compiled. Following this, the school has been continuing to move through the stages of the accreditation process and hopes to achieve CIS accreditation by early 2011.

PREPARATOR AL Y& ON

NDARY SCHO CO OL SE

Council of International Schools (CIS) Involvement

visiting team”, a team which travels through Asia to assess new schools wishing to become CIS accredited. Five Bangkok Prep teachers attended.

Following the workshop, Ms. Lorna Prestage (Learning Support Coordinator) was invited to join a visiting team to accredit a school in Hong Kong.

Further to this, the winners of the CIS awards for Bangkok Prep students were unveiled in a ceremony at the end of the academic year. The awards recognise students who have performed outstandingly in academics, arts and sports over the past year. Mr. Steve Buckley, Director of Trade and Investment at the British Embassy, was the keynote speaker at the ceremony attended by students, staff, parents and the wider Bangkok Prep Community. The Secondary International Student Award 2010 for Outstanding Service to the Thailand International Schools Activity Conference

The program of study is based on the National Curriculum of England, offering a quality education to pupils from Nursery to Year 13.

A rigorous ‘IGCSE’ programme is offered to Year ten and 11 students as a precursor to the Cambridge-approved ‘A’ Levels available to study in Years 12 and 13, thus preparing students for University education.

Bangkok Prep is a member of the Council of International Schools, New England Association of Schools and Colleges, International Schools Association of Thailand, Thailand International Schools Activities Conference as well as the Cambridge University-approved ‘IGCSE’ and ‘A’ level examination center.

The campus, situated adjacent to Thong-Lo sky train station, offers state-of-the-art facilities including a new indoor sports complex and a 25 meter outdoor swimming pool. A new Auditorium and music practice rooms will be completed in 2010, along with a new Outdoor Early Years Learning Centre.

Mr. Keith B. Wecker Headmaster

(TISAC) was awarded to Roger Andrew Agana Santos in Year ten. The Primary International Student Award 2010 for Outstanding Service to the Whole School Community and Bangkok TISAC Community was presented to Jamie Christopher Brannon in Year six.

AustChamThailand Advance

September 2010

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educational Supplement

Sports Awards at the Grand Hyatt Erawan: A Night to Remember

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e recently hosted our first Harrow Sports awards at the superb “Campus” at the Grand Hyatt Erawan. The state of the art bar, restaurant, recreational and presentation facilities provided a superb backdrop for a quite outstanding evening of awards. We were delighted to welcome to stars of Muang Thong United and their coach Rene Desaeyere as well as Bryan Robson’s assistant coach Steve Darby.

After refreshments, the Head Master Mr. Kevin Riley and Mrs. Elspeth Riley along with Chair of the Board of Governors and CEO of Toshiba Khun Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, sponsors, coaches, parents and sports players sat down to watch 90 trophies awarded to Harrow’s finest athletes. Video presentations of each BISAC Season proceeded awards for Most Valuable Players (MVP) and Most Improved player for each of the 30 Harrow Sports teams. The highlight of the evening

staff are primarily from the UK and very well qualified; many of them live on site which underpins the strong sense of community within the school.

Harrow International School, Bangkok is one of two schools licensed by the Harrow Foundation. It is a Kindergarten-Year 13 Independent School which follows a traditional British curriculum.

A Harrow education is a broad one, enabling pupils to fulfil their academic potential and enjoy many activities outside the classroom.

The school is situated on a spacious campus in Don Muang and the facilities are excellent, including those for boarding. The teaching

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There are 34 nationalities among the student body and links with the other schools in the Foundation-Harrow, John Lyon and Beijing- are strong; two Governors from the Foundation visit three times a year. Harrow Bangkok is a thriving, energetic school which promotes individual development within a caring, supportive, international community.

were the overall player, team and coach of the year awards.

After the awards and thanks to Friends of Harrow sports supporters Jackie Waddell, Khun Krishma, Khun Anita, Sarah Glaze and Monique Allen, the students finished off the night with more fun and games as well as a disco.

Our thanks for such a memorable first event go out to: our HIS marketing department of Khun Jaa, Sarah Bevis and Matt Riley; our sponsors Bangkok Hospital, North Park Place, The Grand Hyatt Erawan and Muang Thong United..

With the event now the “talk of the town” tickets promise to sell like “hot cakes” next year – so order yours fast!

Kevin Riley Headmaster

AustChamThailand Advance

educational Supplement

What Counts

D

uring our 2009/10 school year International School Bangkok (ISB) parent Jennifer Misuta asked me to write about how ISB has improved. Since she always gives me good advice, I made a list. It turned out to be a long list. I started with student achievement results. We have been using the MAP tests for two years now and have new INFORM software to make more sense of these scores. I can report that at least in math and reading on average our students learn 30 to 50 percent more each year than at “normal” schools.

Our class of 2010 received a total of more than 500 university acceptances with an average of four per student. We are proud of all of our graduates. Their brain power, diligence and devotion to service means that they can continue learning at a diverse range of universities. Here are some examples of the universities that our graduating class of 2009/10 were accepted to: Brown University, Berkeley, UCLA, Carnegie Melon, Claremont Colleges, Columbia University,

Cornell, Dartmouth College, Duke, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, Rice University, Stanford University, Tufts, University of Illinois, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, Washington University, and Yale University.

Now I had a problem. I was only down to number one on my list and time was running out. So I stopped. Instead I want to tell you what mattered to me most about our 2009/10 school year.

AustChamThailand Advance

From our humble beginnings on the grounds of the U.S. Embassy, International School Bangkok (ISB) has been providing quality education since 1951 to expatriates representing more than 60 countries. Accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, ISB offers a North American curriculum enriched with international best practices, and includes the full International Baccalaureate Diploma program.

Now conveniently located just outside the heart of the city, ISB’s 14 hectare campus is nestled in a beautiful gated community where children can walk or ride their bicycle to school along tree-lined paths. ISB serves students from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 with facilities that include a 750 seat Chevron thea-

Each year, I make several hundred visits to classrooms. Whenever possible during a visit, I talked with students using a protocol of questions. We all know that learning is a complex business. Each student is different.

ISB’s definition of learning calls for a high level of achievement. We do not say a student has learned something unless they can use it in novel situations, communicate it in multiple ways, connect it to other learning and reflect on their progress.

tre, a Cultural Center with an additional 280 seat theatre, electronic whiteboards and laptop computers available in every classroom, two libraries/media centers, seven tennis courts, three playgrounds, a swimming pool, rugby and soccer fields, four gymnasiums, a Nike fitness center, three baseball fields, a dance studio and more.

Today our vision - to be a model of excellence in educating students for success in the world community - guides all school improvement efforts. Our students are happy, our parents fully engaged and our faculty committed to each student reaching his/her academic potential.

Dr. Bill Gerritz Head of School

Not in every class and not for every student, but over and over I talked with hard working, articulate students. They explained to me in detail what they were learning and how they were learning it.

They told me if it was difficult or easy learning.

Many could tell me why they were learning it and how they could use it in the future. Now in my notes and memory, I have these stories that our wonderful students told me about their learning.

I also have the memories of our teachers who care so much about our children and work their hardest so that each achieves his or her potential.

This is what counts the most for me.

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educational Supplement

Outstanding Recognition Where It Counts

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any families who have school-aged children know about the International Baccalaureate, or the IB. The IB is best known for its respected university entrance qualification, the IB Diploma. Not all families know that the IB is more than the renowned IB Diploma.

The IB, in fact offers three programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP, ages 3-11), the Middle Years Programme (MYP, 11-16) and, as mentioned, the IB Diploma (16-18). Only several IB World schools in Bangkok offer students the full IB range. KIS is one of them.

All IB programmes excel in providing students an inquiry-driven education, encouraging them to ask questions and to find out more. The IB also helps students make connections between what they learn and the “real world”, making education more relevant, meaningful and engaging! The subject matter is academically challenging, especially so at the Diploma level. But there is also emphasis on a balanced education, making students wellrounded, world-wise and knowledgeable.

The IB as a whole is continuing to grow. Today there are 3,000 IB schools around the world that have chosen this curriculum. Universities, including those in Australia, UK and the US recognize and often prefer candidates with an IB Diploma.

When KIS International School opened in 1998, the founders had a vision of developing a great IB school that was big enough to matter and small enough to care. Today, this vision is very much a reality at KIS. KIS is a medium-sized school, where everyone feels part of a caring international community. Students enjoy learning with outstanding and positive-minded teachers; on a campus that has excellent facilities, plenty of space and is easy to get to.

The curriculum at KIS is the well-respected International Baccalaureate (IB). As a full IB school, KIS offers the IB for students from primary school to the completion of

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wonderful community, a supportive environment and passionate teachers.

This passion our teachers express is also demonstrated by their involvement with the IB. Many of KIS’s staff members hold positions within the IB organisation. The school boasts, for example, external IB examiners, who mark final exams in their subjects for the IB Diploma. Others have published in IB publications or presented at conferences.

On KIS’s staff are also PYP authorizers. They visit candidate IB schools and evaluate whether or not the school is ready to be an IB school. KIS also has several staff members who are qualified to teach other teachers to be IB teachers.

Cooperation and Contribution As a strong believer in the strength of the IB curriculum, KIS places importance on having close links with the IB and on being recognised by this organisation.

During a recent visit to KIS, the IB commended KIS for its commitment to the IB and for having a secondary school. As a true believer in the IB, KIS is actively engaged with all aspects of the programmes. I am very proud to say that KIS staff members hold key IB positions, and the school was recently selected by IB to participate in a study into the “IB Successful Schools Project” as well as for a pilot project related to the PYP. What that means for parents: a mediumsized, warm and caring school that matters in a big way. I would like to congratulate all staff members at KIS on this remarkable achievement.

Sally Holloway Head of School

Great achievement The most outstanding achievement of all KIS staff members though, is the appointment of Sally Holloway, Head of School, to the IB Board of Governors.

Sally is Chair of the Heads Council, representing all the heads of all IB schools globally.

“I am extremely honoured to be elected as Chair” commented Ms. Sally, “and I am absolutely thrilled that this appointment will also aid in firmly placing KIS on the map as an exemplary IB World School.”

With the rapid growth in the IB community, having Ms. Sally in the position of Chair ensures KIS remains at the forefront of any upcoming changes and opportunities.

Not only are individual KIS community members active within IB, but the school as a whole has also received due recognition by the IB in the form of being selected as a participant in a pilot IB project, as well as being surveyed to gain more insight into the transitions from one IB programme into the next.

KIS is proud to have achieved recognition from such a respected institution as the IB. It proves that the school meets demanding standards, and that it is a contributor to the success story of the IB. This achievement allows parents to rest assured that their children are following an excellent quality-controlled programme, in the hands of educators who make a difference.

AustChamThailand Advance

educational Supplement

Classrooms Equipped with State-of-the-art Sound System

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t NIST (The New International School of Thailand), students are provided with the latest in educational resources and technology to gain the most from their learning. Following the investment in interactive whiteboards announced last month, NIST has also recently invested nearly Baht two million baht to equip all 30 of its elementary classrooms and other select classrooms, namely Art, Design Technology and Home Economics, with a state-of-the-art classroom amplification system called FrontRow. In addition to the indoor systems, NIST also purchased two FrontRow outdoor sound systems for Physical Education (PE) lessons.

NIST is a leading IB school with the goal of developing responsible global citizens equipped with the critical thinking and technological literacy skills necessary to participate effectively in the worldwide community of learners. Technology is used to increase and expand access to learning in all ways.

Mr. Simon Leslie Headmaster

FrontRow, was developed specifically for the classroom using the sound field system concept.

It is designed to overcome speech audibility and intelligibility problems in class settings and other teaching spaces. The FrontRow audio systems

equalization technology gives everyone equal access to information.

With clearer communication, children simply perform better academically. Mrs. Jill Bellamy, NIST Year one Coordinator, commented that she no longer has to raise her voice in the classroom.

She said, “Students are more easily able to recognize discrete speech sounds, thereby accelerating their language and literacy development.” when students are 12 feet from the teacher; and at 24 feet away, word recognition plunges to 60 percent. This means children in the middle or back of a typical classroom do not hear the same information as children in front. Sound

clarify and evenly distribute a teacher’s voice throughout the classroom. Easy to use, NIST Teachers wear a wireless microphone to broadcast their voice through a receiver and speakers distributed around the classroom.

Numerous studies have proven that students perform better in acoustically friendly learning environments with appropriate listening conditions. One study showed children scored 95 percent on word recognition when seated within six feet of the teacher. The same study showed word recognition scores drop to 71 percent

AustChamThailand Advance

As a leading international school with over 1,450 students from more than 50 countries, NIST students come from diverse backgrounds. Many of them are learning English as a second language (ESL). With the assistance of FrontRow, it has proven to help non-native English speakers to hear more clearly. Thus, they adjust better to an English speaking environment and progress well academically. “We are convinced that we have made the right choice to give every student a FrontRow seat at NIST. We are proud to be a leading pioneer school facilitating twenty first century technologies to promote innovative learning,” said Simon Leslie, Headmaster. Furthermore, he added, FrontRow benefits the Teachers as well, as they no longer have to raise their voices to be heard across the room. Teachers are able to use normal voice levels thus reducing the stress on their voices.

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Round Square Week

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ost, if not all parents I speak to agree that education today needs to be about much more than achieving high test results in traditionally narrow academic fields. Education must be about developing thinking and problemsolving skills, being environmentally aware and responsible, preparing to be a creative and reflective leader in an ever-changing world and making positive and mutually beneficial links with the local and international community. As one of the very few Round Square Primary schools in the world, the staff at Regent’s Pattaya Primary School are enormously fortunate; through focusing on the above-mentioned 6 IDEALS we can ensure that our students experience a truly holistic and enlightened education.

are many opportunities for our students to get involved in activities that we would describe as ‘Round Square’. Indeed, I doubt if there are many schools who can match us in this holistic vision.

While other schools wind down at the end of the school year, The Regent’s School Pattaya winds up. The important thing is that our students ‘give it a go’ and see what a difference they can make for themselves and for others.

This year we found that both staff and students approached our Round Square Week with an incredible amount of energy and enthusiasm.

This Week is an ambitious undertaking involving our dedicated staff in leading all sorts of trips and activities in order to ensure that our students get

a wide choice of activities to develop the Round Square objectives.

As a school this year we have focused on developing sustainable and meaningful links with our community partners. In Pattaya we have such a rich and varied range of organisations right on our doorstep that can offer amazing learning experiences for our children. It was to be expected then, that this year our Round Square Week would have a strong focus on being involved with our community partners. In fact, it would be very hard to find even one child in the Primary school who did not spend at least one day of the Week involved in a service-based activity. I’ve talked to most of the children and have not found one yet. I con-

This academic year we concluded the school year with our annual and always exciting Round Square Week. Each child was challenged to:

• Learn something new and challenging – even if it is a little bit scary!

• Make a new friend • Participate in a service-orientated activity • Hit as many of the IDEALS as you can Of course, throughout the academic year there

The Regent’s School, Pattaya, was founded in 1995 by Dr. Virachai Techavijit. It has grown steadily to a current student population of about 1000 across Primary and Secondary year groups, including approximately 160 boarders. We have 46 nationalities in the school, of whom about 28% are Thai and 18% are British. We value both our host Thai culture and the other cultures of our staff and students, building respect and understanding between them.

All our teaching staff are qualified teachers, mainly from the UK. However, most people agree that the best thing about our school is the students. New staff always comment on the excellent studentstaff relations as well as the vitality and positive outlook of the student body.

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Part of this student empowerment comes from our membership of the Round Square Organization. This underpins our holistic philosophy of education based on the IDEALS of Internationalism, Democracy, Environmental awareness, Leadership and Service. More details of how this philosophy is put into practice can be found on our school’s website: www.pattaya.regents.ac.th We are proud to be hosting the Round Square International Conference in October of this year. We welcome visitors to come and see for themselves the opportunities and achievements of The Regent’s School.

Mike Walton Principal

sider this a very special achievement for a Primary school, indeed for any school.

Naturally, after such an ambitious undertaking staff and students are feeling tired but satisfied and curiously full of creative energy. Already staff and children are talking about the next academic year and how they can continue to expand upon community projects started and links initiated during Round Square Week. Each Primary year group now has a clearly defined Community Partner with whom they will link regularly over the course of the year; the range of shared learning experiences and opportunities that these mutually beneficial links will provide is practically limitless.

As always, a picture paints a thousand words so I would urge those interested to take a look at the Primary Round Square Week blog which was created by staff and children as an environmentally-friendly record of this special event in our school’s calendar: http://regentsblogpattaya. blogspot.com

AustChamThailand Advance

educational Supplement

‘Team Shrewsbury’

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chools are fairly quiet places during the long holiday break, but if you looked through the window of the gymnasium at Shrewsbury International School on any day during July and August you might have spotted Joyce practicing on the beam or perfecting a tumbling routine.

Also foregoing the pleasures of a beach holiday was Cameron who flew to his native Australia to compete in the City of Melbourne Titles – one of Kart Racing’s top events. On the other side of the world, Jan was celebrating her third placing in the World Junior Golf Championships in the US. These young people have diverse backgrounds and unique personalities but they are united by common aims – to be the best, to win and to achieve their dreams.

In 2009, Shrewsbury International School was proud to launch an initiative that aims to help

exceptionally talented youngsters to reach their highest potential in sport. Called Team Shrewsbury, these 15 students compete at the very highest level in team games including football and basketball as well as in individual disciplines such as tennis, golf and kart racing.

For Principal Stephen Holroyd launching Team Shrewsbury was one of the school’s crowning achievements of the past year. “We have a lot of students at Shrewsbury who are exceptionally gifted in music and the arts and we are able to support them through excellence programmes and scholarships. Team Shrewsbury was devised to extend this support to another very important group of students – those with a natural talent and unwavering commitment to sport. This initiative is unique in Thailand and we are proud to be blazing a trail in this way.”

AustChamThailand Advance

For students like Cameron, Jan and Joyce being a Team Shrewsbury Elite Athlete means they get support in developing their skill through performance workshops, training grants and lifestyle coaching in areas such as nutrition, psychology and core stability.

Cameron Storah, who last year became Thailand’s National Open Champion at the tender age of 13, wore his Team Shrewsbury logo with pride as he competed in Melbourne in August. “It was my first international race against a bigger and more experienced field of drivers and I managed to come ninth.

In 2010, he hopes to win the National Championships in Thailand again as well as the Rotax Max Championships which will allow him to compete in the World Finals in Italy in November.

Cameron knows that being a member of Team Shrewsbury gives him a higher profile within

the school community. “I am aware that I have to be a role model to other students who are aspiring to achieve sporting excellence. My special Team Shrewsbury tie makes me very visible in the school.”

Cameron’s sporting icon is Lewis Hamilton and inevitably talk is that he might be a world champion in the making but this clever young lad has a wise head on his young shoulders. “Like most young drivers I want to race at the highest level in Motorsport,” he says, “but my education comes first. As long as I can continue to improve as a driver and do well in my studies then I will achieve my goals.”

For 13-year-old gymnast Joyce Tseng, from the US, it is a very important part of her sporting experience to be part of a team. Through

Since opening its doors in 2003, Shrewsbury International School has built up a formidable reputation for academic excellence. Now, Shrewsbury is setting new standards in pursuits beyond the classroom, too. Team Shrewsbury, which was launched in the last year, is a ground-breaking initiative to support and nurture the sporting champions of tomorrow.

Mr. Stenphen Holroyd Principal

the solitary hours of practice she puts in, she is sustained by the thrill of competing with her Shrewsbury teammates at events in Thailand and across the region.

She says: “Having a team and people you can rely on is great because then you are not just pressuring yourself. Going through something like a competition is hard so it’s better to have teammates who are going through the exact same thing with you.”

It is a sentiment echoed by golfer Jan, from Thailand, who has a trophy cabinet bulging with silverware from both domestic and international competitions. “I enjoy meeting new people and having fun,” she says. “I am very proud and honoured to represent Shrewsbury and be part of the team.”

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The Aussie Centre in Action – Helping Thai Teachers Nationwide

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n March 2010, the Australian Studies Centre held its official launch at Thammasat University’s Rangsit Campus, an occasion honoured by guest speakers including His Excellency Mr Paul Grigson and Thammasat University Rector, Professor Surapol Nitikraipot.

The launch was an occasion to acknowledge a new chapter for the Australian Studies Centre in its transition to its new host institution, Thammasat University, to acknowledge the appointment of its new Director, Dr Suphat Suphachalasai, and to officially recognise the important role of the centre as an information powerhouse about Australia in Thailand.

After its first few months settling in next door to the International Cooperation Studies Center (ICSC), the centre has continued to move forward in its activities, encouraging a better understanding of Australia amongst the general Thai society.

Most recently, the Aussie Centre has engaged in two major teacher training events. The first, held in Phitsanulok, catered to over 300 high school teachers from six provinces across Thailand and allowed teachers the opportunity to gain new information about topics related to international studies.

A second, held in Khon Khaen, saw a record attendance of 400 high school teachers from the surrounding provinces of Mahasarakham, Yasothon, Amnartcharoen, Roiet, Garasin and Mukdahan.

Held in collaboration with Thammasat University and the ICSC, this three day June event was opened by Thammasat University Rector Professor Surapol Nitikraipot and honoured by guest speaker Australian Deputy Head of Mission to Thailand Mr Simon Farbenbloom, who offered a welcome address to the large audience of teachers.

Leading Thammasat professors and academics in the field of international relations, economics, trade and Australian studies again offered presentations, information and resources to equip teachers from regional provinces.

For teachers involved, the content of these con-

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ferences prove useful in the structuring of their high school teaching curriculums.

Teachers play an undeniably important role in the lives of their students. The information given to students today will help shape their understanding of the world around them, it can open doors to opportunities in life and it can influence their decisions tomorrow as members of a global community.

The ASC-ICSC teacher training conferences not only brings Thai teachers together as part of a community, they give teachers a chance to speak with leading professors, get up-to-date information and research as well as access to the resources their students need.

For Aussie Centre Director Dr. Suphat, the event was a tremendous success and was also an opportunity to promote the new ASC and help connect Thai staff, students and the general community with information about Australia and Thai-Australian relations.

“Helping provide youth with a solid understanding of international issues is so important to Thailand and so important in fostering strong relations with countries internationally.”

The Aussie Centre also took their trip to Khon Khaen as an opportunity to visit nearby Nonthon Witthaya School to meet staff and contribute some educational resources and equipment.

The visit also provided a chance to learn about the school itself through an organized presentation and to speak with staff and students in order to better identify with the needs of teachers and students in a north-eastern province of Thailand.

Supported by the Office of the Higher Education Commission, Thailand, and in collaboration with partners, institutions and organizations committed to fostering Australia and Thailand’s strong bilateral relationship, the Australian Studies Centre is open to new opportunities for collaborative endeavours. We welcome all to visit us or contact us at our new centre.

Register as a member at: www.aussiecenter.org or Follow us on Twitter: AussieCenter The Australian Studies Centre, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus Pathum Thani 12121, Thailand Tel: 0 2564 3129, 0 2564 3130 Fax: 0 2564 3128 Email: aussiecenter@gmail.com

AustChamThailand Advance

member profile

Golden Future Build on an Excellent Track Record

A

kara Mining Limited is a highly successful gold mining and exploration company that owns and operates the low cost Chatree gold mine in central Thailand using world’s best practice for safe, environmental and socially responsible operations. Chatree is the largest gold mine in Thailand and is one of the lowest cost gold operations in the world. Akara’s vision is to be a preferred gold company delivering shareholder value through profit and growth.

Our expertise is based on embracing cultural diversity and skill development, fostering teamwork and a focus on the best result for all stakeholders.

SA 8000, Health & Safety OHSAS 18001, Environment ISO 14001, Quality ISO 9001, Laboratory Standard ISO 17025, certified as compliant with the International Cyanide Management Code (ICMI) and the Thai Labour Standard TLS 8001.

Akara has a proven track record of genuine capacity building within the communities in which we work, backed by award-winning Corporate Social Responsibility standards. Our supply chain policy is to buy local and to help expand the capacities of local contractors wherever we can.

Akara believe that “People With Educa-

tion and Training are Assets, Not Costs”.

Akara promotes education through the building of schools, the sponsorship of educational programs in local schools, providing scholarships to local students, providing educational assistance to employees and hiring students as part of their school training program.

Akara will continue to explore, develop, mine and process gold free from exploitative and unnecessarily harmful practices. We will work with all our stakeholders with integrity and for mutual benefit, while minimising our environmental impact and leaving a meaningful community legacy.

Safety in the workplace is integral to Akara’s operational and sustainability policies and the mine strives for an incident free environment for all employees and contractors. Akara has developed appropriate policies, codes, procedures and ongoing training to help maintain an accident free work place.

Akara continues to set world-class safety and environmental standards and is gaining international recognition. The Chatree gold mine continues to be the “World’s Safest Gold Mine”. All international and local standards have been maintained with accreditation for Social Accountability 30

September 2010

AustChamThailand Advance

Contact Craig Somerville by telephone on 081 692 8281 or email: craig@jvkmovers.com www.jvkmovers.com

Chamber Events

Luncheon – Tax Planning for Australian Expats Joining us for his second luncheon seminar this year, Stephen Caswell was joined by Stephen French to discuss tax issues that face Australian expriates. The lunch was held at Centara Grand and ended with time for guests to ask questions more specifically related to their personal circumstances.

Key Issues Dinner on 14 July 2010 AustCham invited Dr. Bandid Nijathaworn; Deputy Governer of Bank of Thailand and Khun Pichai Chuensuksawadi Editor-in-Chief of Post Publishing to discuss the political and economic outlook for the second half of 2010 at our first Key Issues Dinner.

Almost 50 people attended to listen to the views of these two esteemed speakers at Four Seasons Hotel.

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September 2010

Marketing & Sale Office: 1168/58 Lumpini Tower Building, 21st Floor Rama 4 Rd.,Tungmahamek, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120 Tel. +662 679 8225-8 Fax +662 679 8229

AustChamThailand Advance

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Chamber Events

Phuket Marine Industry Seminar on 30 July 2010 Preceding AustCham’s Phuket Sundowners, representatives from Austrade informed attendees of updates and trends of the marine industry from Australia and showcased a number of Australian companies interested in conducting business with local Thai companies. Composite Catamarans kindly exhibited three Australian designed catamarans. Namely; Nina (38 foot), DaVinci (39 foot) and Sidewinder (42 foot). Thanks to all the people who made this such an enjoyable and interesting event.

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AustChamThailand Advance

Chamber Events

Phuket Sundowners at the Royal Phuket Marina on 30 July 2010 Following the Marine Industry Seminar, friends and members of AustCham met together for a great evening of networking and good food. AustCham would like to thank the Royal Phuket Marina for the use of their beautiful venue, as well as Austrade, Andaman Cabriolet and Simpson Marine for their corporate sponsorship and support. Thanks must all go to Lady Pie for providing us with their delicious pastries.

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From left: 1) Murat Can Sakarya - Royal Phuket Marina; Mark Wood - Austrade; Grenville Forham - Andaman Cabriolet; Bob Mott - Andaman Cabriolet; Susan Usher - Lady Pie; Quentin Lowe - Simpson Marine; Andrew Durieux - AustCham President; Coverage; M.L. Laksasubha Kridakorn - AustCham Director, Baan Laksasubha; Harry Usher - Lady Pie; David Tyson - Skippers; David Armstrong - AustCham Director. 2) James Bradbury - Minor Food Group; Tiare Snow - Coffee Club; M.L. Laksasubha Kridakon - AustCham Director, Baan Laksasubha; Michael Chick - Coffee Club. 3) Thomas Flindt, Big A Resort; Wal Brown - Immigration Volunteer Australia; Harry Usher - Lady Pie. 4) Khun Nithipat Kongkatong - Fair and Easy; Khun Sineenart Kuncharoen - Austrade. 5) Muriel Stockhem - CPS; Kylie - Outrigger; Shelly Clowes - Outrigger; Khun Onusa Oiewpanich – Gloss. 6) Nick Wyatt - Yacht Haven Marina; Jonathan Booth - Infinity Solutions; Quentin Lowe Simpson Marine; Andrew Durieux - AustCham President, Coverage.

AustChamThailand Advance

September 2010

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Chamber Events

AustCham All Chambers Sundowners at Centara Grand on 4 August 2010 Members from all chambers joined us for our yearly All Chambers event.

We would like to offer a big thank you to dtac for hosting the event and sponsoring some great prize giveaways. Thanks must also go to Centara Grand for providing a fantastic venue and great food for over 500 guests.

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From left: 1) Khun Nitipong Boon-Long - dtac; Khun Wansit Jeremy Saiyawan - dtac; Khun Suthat na Ayuthya - dtac. 2) Michel Horn - Operations of Centara Hotels and Resorts; Pisak Nivataphand - TRCC President, Nikki Cox - NZCCT President; Andrew Durieux - AustCham Thailand President, Peter Pedersen - Total Access Communication Plc; Wilfred Kang – STCC Chairman. 3) Khun Chalunt Saenroongroj - dtac; Khun Kanokwan Ditpudee - dtac; Khun Pisanu Tasnapong - dtac; Khun Chitipat Vacheesit - dtac. 4) Carolina Stuckew – Agoda; Oliver Kracht – Ace of Spades. 5) Carlos Ballesteros - Amadeus; Khun Kalyakorn Mongkolchart - Italian Trade Commission; Igor Prahin - Marque Consulting Group. 6) Josh Hyland - AustCham; Khun Tuangporn Sunetar - Crown Worldwide; Debbie Steel - Crown Worldwide; Rick McGill - NetropolitanWorks. 7) Gary Woollacott - AustCham Past President, Opus Recruitment; M.L. Laksasubha Kridakon - AustCham Vice President, Laksasubha Resort Hua Hin; Marc Spigel - KONE Thai

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AustChamThailand Advance

Chamber Events

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Lift; Nikki Cox – President NZCCT. 8) Matthew Silvester - Meinhardt Ltd.; Warwick Baglin - Meinhardt Ltd.; Nima Chandler - NCG Marketing Ltd. 9) Alana Cartmill Boots Retail; Emma Grant - Colgate - Palmolive. 10) Panada Lerthattasin - Sombatpermpoon Gallery; Itthi Yossundara - Six Senses. 11) Juthamart Veerakul - Suvarabhumi Airport Hotel; Miriam Amelynck - Asia CEO Network. 12) Khun Marisa Mongkoldara - Holiday Inn; Khun Sujantanee Boonsud - Holiday Inn; Khun Pitak Horathepkitti - Four Seasons Hotel; Khun Achara Phattana - Anunsuk - Four Seasons Hotel. 13) Bertrand Medici - tmc media; Chunxig Gao -Six Senses; Kristy Lin - ISOL Project; Claas Feye - C.F. Tec. 14) Khun Achara Boonyahansa – AustCham Director, Grant Thornton; Simon Landy - Colliers; Khun Nuchjarja Disayabut - Veritas Graphics; Khun Ekjaree Thanasawangkul - Dataconsult; Nelson Yeap – Schneider.

AustChamThailand Advance

September 2010

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New members and Members’ changes

Corporate Ordinary Members

CEL Engineers Limited 1858/13 -14, 5th Floor, Nation Tower Bangna-Trad Road Bangna, Bangkok 10260 Tel: +66 2 751 5100-5 Fax: +66 2 751 5106 Email: info@cel.co.th Website: www.cel.co.th

G4S Security Services (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 2019 New Petchburi Road Bangkapi, Huaykwang, Bangkok 10310 Tel: +66 2 713 8700 Fax: +66 2 713 8731 Email: customerservices.ss@th.g4s.com Website: www.g4s.com

Principal: Ms. Chupit Chutitum Alternate: Mr. Peter Bachner Principal: Mr. Michael Walls Alternate: Mr. Chanin Suksuwan

Principal: Mr. Jaturun Siraphongphan CEL Engineers Limited is a top one engineering consultant and construction management firm with a wide range of services associated with delivering large and multinational projects. Our goals are to provide professional engineering services in a manner that is technically correct, timely and economical. We currently run our engineering and construction management service with more than 15 major projects, with a combined value of around 35 billion Baht and we have 220 engineers under our company operation.

The Chava Resorts 113 Moo 3, T. Cherngtalay Thalang District, Phuket 83110 Tel: +66 76 372 600 Fax: +66 76 372 606 Email: reservations@thechavaresort.com Website: www.thechavaresort.com

Principal: Mr. Larry Cunningham Alternate: Ms. Sanpaporn Suwannarat

G4S is the world’s leading security group, which specialises in outsourcing of business processes in sectors where security and safety risks are considered a strategic threat. G4S is the largest employer quoted on the London Stock Exchange and has a secondary stock exchange listing in Copenhagen. G4S has operations in over 110 countries and over 595,000 employees. For more information on G4S, visit www.g4s.com. G4S Thailand offers a complete range of services to provide total security solutions designed to meet customer needs. In Thailand, we operate in Secure Solutions and Cash Solutions.

Our expertise in security solutions makes us one of the market-leading companies in Thailand, delivering security solutions to a broad range of customers throughout the Kingdom.

Golden Tulip Hospitality Group Paso Tower, 12A Floor, 88 Silom Road Suriyawong, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Tel: +66 2 634 4944-5 Fax: +66 2 634 4946 Email: southeastasia@goldentulip.com Website: www.goldentulip.com

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A full service integrated marketing communications agency established in 1997 and serving Thailand and the S.E. Asia region.

We offer the full scope of marketing practices include public relations, special events, advertising, strategic marketing, integrated online marketing and localisation.

The agency has specialised in the past primarily in IT accounts and our current clients include such regional accounts as Adobe, Symantec, VMWare and SanDisk.

We also been specialist in regional public relations and work closely with TCEB and BITEC on complex international public relations projects on an on-going basis.

We are also one of the few agencies with credentialed integrated online marketing expertise covering all facets of blended online strategies.

Peopleserve Asia Ltd. 16/F Maneeya Centre 518/5 Ploenchit Road, Lumpinee Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Tel: +66 2 652 0888 Fax: +66 2 652 0887 Email: info@pserveasia.com Website: www.pserveasia.com

Principal: Mr. Christopher McAleer Alternate: Mr. Ian Webb

The Chava Resort is a luxury apartment resort located at Phuket’s best beach. The resort opened in August 2008.

The Chava comprises 45 self contained apartments ranging from two to five bedrooms. The large (900 square metres) pool area is a feature of the resort. A 100 metre walk through parkland takes you to surin beach, the millionaires choice. The Chava resort was built by AustCham member world constructions with Hong Kong based Australian architect Branko Pahor supplying the plans. Queensland Born Phil Gill was project manager.

Penner-Madison & Company Limited 22nd Floor, Charn Issara Tower 2 2922/269 New Petchburi Road Bangkapi, Huaykwang, Bangkok 10310 Tel: +66 2 716 5246 Fax: +66 2 716 5224 Email: peter_b@penner-madison.com Website: www.penner-madison.com

Principal: Mr. Mark van Ogtrop Alternate: Ms. Tiparpa Sapanon With nearly 50 years of experience, Golden Tulip Hospitality Group is offering services in the mid-upper and luxury scales with over 230 hotels in 37 countries. The three brands promise international standards of service and facilities throughout hotels which retrain their own unique flavour and personality.

Peopleserve Asia is a unique “One Stop” Human Resources Outsourcing Company, providing payroll, and the full spectrum of outsourced human resources services to our clients including executive search and recruitment.

AustChamThailand Advance

New members and Members’ changes

cious setting, each showcasing dynamic views of this charismatic city.

Shama Sukhumvit 12 Soi Sukhumvit 4, Sukhumvit Road Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 83 618 3008 Fax: +66 2 656 9177 Email: sukamalmondal@shama.com Website: www.shama.com

VIE Hotel Bangkok 117/39-40 Phaya Thai Road Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400 Tel: +66 2 309 3939 Fax: +66 2 309 3838 Email: gm@viehotelbangkok.com Website: www.viehotelbangkok.com

Contained within the four-storey cube at the hotel’s entrance is the VIE 39 Exclusive Entertainment Complex, which features VIE BAR, VIE MEZZININE and VIE CIGAR providing an extensive selection of cigars, fine wines and classic cocktails topped with a rooftop swimming pool.

Change of Company Address

Principal: Mr. Sukamal Mondal Shama is a leading serviced apartment provider founded in Hong Kong and currently operates a varied portfolio in prime commercial and residential districts in Dalian, Hong Kong and Shanghai, and has plans to expand its portfolio further in Guangzhou, Bangkok, Bangalore and Hangzhou.

The brand operates two tiers of serviced apartments, consisting of Shama and a premiere tier called Shama Luxe. Founded in 1996, marking the first introduction of boutique serviced apartments to the Hong Kong real estate market.

Shama is a lifestyle provider. It offers discerning residents with homes that blend comfort, style and luxury. Beyond creating exceptional accommodation, it aspires to offer its clients a superior standard of living in their new city. Shama’s vision is to drive the evolution of serviced apartments and aspirational lifestyles, without boundaries.

Total Training Innovations (Thailand) Co., Ltd. 1739/1 Soi Poonsin, Sukhumvit 66/1 Road Bangjak, Prakanong, Bangkok 10260 Tel: +66 2 744 7760-4 Fax: +66 2 744 8919 Email: www.ttinao.com Website: kchumma@ttinao.com Principal: Mrs. Sirijit Surasarank Alternate: Mr. John David Parola Training Automotive & Outsourcing: • • • • • •

Training Automotive Volvo collision repair Vehicle modification Refrigerated truck body manufacture Outsourcing Automotive part wholesales

AustChamThailand Advance

Principal: Mr. Remko Kroesen Alternate: Mrs. Wanida Tradivel Perfectly positioned in the heart of the dynamic Bangkok landscape, VIE reflects the archetypal life of this modern city, complete with its energy, character and charisma.

With its prime location close to Ratchathewi Skytrain station, the business centres of Silom and Sukhumvit areas are only minutes away. Major shopping and entertainment complexes of Siam Square, Siam Center, Siam Discovery and Siam Paragon can be reached on foot or via Skytrain.

With stunning views from all angles, guests can see the panoramic skyline of Bangkok skyscrapers, a park nearby, and the San Saeb Canal which leads to the older parts of the city and Thailand’s famous water way the Chao Praya River.

MGallery is a small collection of distinctive boutique hotels that Accor has selected as a result of their unique vision, design, history and location.

VIE Hotel fits a number of these criteria, but was particularly selected for the MGallery collection because of its design – the first MGallery hotel in the world to be selected because of its exceptional design qualities.

Through J+H Boiffils’ (France) world-class architectural vision, VIE captures the 21st century spirit of Bangkok and defines a new style of travel and leisure. Natural and exotic materials, evocative lighting, vivid colours and unique artworks have been fused to create a uniquely individual style that connects to the city’s vibrant life.

The uncompromising creative detail flows seamlessly to guest rooms delivering a lush residential comfort. All deluxe rooms, deluxe suites, two bedroom duplex suites and the commanding penthouse suites are designed so guests can immerse themselves in the sumptuous and spa-

I Resource Link Consulting Group Co., Ltd. No. 65, 42 Tower, Room M5, M Floor, Soi Sukhumvit 42, Sukhumvit Rd., Prakanong, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 2 712 3190 Fax: +66 (0) 2 712 3191 HydroGreenergy Co., Ltd. has changed company name to be G-PowerLube CO., LTD. No.29 Bangkok Business Center Suite#1103, Soi Sukhumvit 63 (ekamai ) Klongton-Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Tel: +66 2 711 7258 Fax: +66 2 711 7259 Website: www.G-PowerLube.com Email: Admin@gpowerlube.com A.R.V. Offshore Co., Ltd. 18th Floor, Rasa Tower 2, 555 Phaholyothin Road, Jatujak, Jatujak, Bangkok 10900 Tel: +66 2 937 1211 Fax: +66 2 937 1212-3 Change of Representative Mr. David Duncan, Consultant is a new representative of Tilleke & Gibbins International Ltd. Khun Tatchaphol Arnajiragul, Director of Sales is a new representative of Chatrium Residence Bangkok - Sathon.

Mr. Ross Werner, Director of Operations is a new representative of Siam Ocean World Bangkok Company Limited.

Mr. Suthep Rattananukrom, Director of Sales is a new representative of Siam Ocean World Bangkok Company Limited.

Mr. Teddy Chia, General Manager is a new representative of Grand Mercure Fortune Bangkok.

Mr. Michael Ganster, General Manager (Guru) is a new representative of dusitD2 baraquda pattaya.

Ms. Patitta Chinin Adinolfi, Director of Sales & Marketing is a new representative of dusitD2 baraquda pattaya.

September 2010

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Eastern Eastern Seaboard Seaboard Charity Charity Golf Golf Open Open

Date:

Friday, 15 October 2010

Time:

12.00 Noon shotgun start (registration from 11.00am - 11.45am)

Location:

Phoenix Golf Club (Sukhumvit Road, Km 158, Huai Yai)

Player Fee: Baht 2,900 - includes caddy fee, goody bag, green fee, tournament polo shirt

and admission to AustCham’s ESB Sundowners (optional cart and tip are not included)

All proceeds from the event will go to the Camillian Social Center Rayong, a hospice and orphanage for children and families affected by HIV and AIDS. Players will all be invited on a complimentary basis to join AustCham’s ESB Sundowners at Amari Orchid Resort which will follow the ESB Charity Golf Open. Everyone is welcome to join!

For sponsorship, please contact Paul Wilkinson at paul.wilkinson@agsfourwinds.com or call 081 903 9477.

For bookings or further information, please contact varin@austchamthailand.com or call the AustCham office on +66 2 210 0216.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Organising Sponsor

PREMIUM SPONSORS - THB 25,000 :

* Tournament fees for two players. * Your company banners displayed at a designated hole (and option to set up a drinks/games tent). * Company logo on AustCham’s emails, Chamber website and polo shirt sleeve. * Post event recognition in AustCham’s Advance magazine. * Your logo displayed on our banner and slideshow at Sundowners. * Opportunity to set up a booth at the venue. * Opportunity to include a brochure and merchandise in the goody bags. * A full list of attendees at the event. * Two additional tournament polo shirts.

HOLE SPONSORS - THB 12,500 :

Sundowners Venue Sponsor

Hole Sponsors

* Your company banners displayed at a designated hole (and option to set up a drinks/games tent). * Opportunity to include a brochure and merchandise in the goody bags. * Your company name on all emails and reminder emails. * Post event recognition in AustCham’s Advance magazine. * Your logo displayed on our banner and slideshow at AustCham’s Sundowners.

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AustChamThailand Advance

Members’ offers

Amari Orchid Pattaya Sivara Spa is offering a special 2½ hour package for only Baht 2,999. It includes a mint foot scrub, feeling fruity body scrub, aromatic oil massage and manicure or pedicure. For more information, contact: sivaraspa@ orchid.amari.com

AusWa Thai AustCham members can get their profiles including company logo, link to their website and an extract of their company details registered at Longdo Map Thailand for FREE! To receive full details of this offer, please email: freeaustchammem-map@austhai.biz

Baan Laksasubha Baan Laksasubha at Hua Hin is delighted to offer readers two nights stay in the Garden Veranda for only Baht 7,000. Set in plush landscaped gardens, spacious guestrooms are ideal for a romantic getaway or weekend retreat with the family. Enjoy dining at our Costanera Beach Restaurant & Tapas Bar which overlooks a private beach and serves a variety of culinary delights. To book this offer, kindly email rsvn@baanlaksasubha.com or contact us on 032 514 525-31 and quote ACOO1.

Bangkok Marriott Resort and Spa From now until 31 October, take advantage of room rates of Baht 3,900 net inclusive of American Buffet Breakfast and enhanced by the additional privileges of a 25% discount on food and beverage at any resort restaurant plus a 25% discount at Mandara Spa. For further information or reservation, please call (66) 2 477 0755 or email: reservemarriott@minornet. com

Coverage SARS, Tsunami, Bird Flu, Coup, Swine Flu, Riots, - what’s the next X for Thailand? What’s next for your business? Are you prepared?

Coverage knows and understands all parts of your business and can help provide a plan, training and exercise for you and your staff in English and Thai.

Andrew is offering a 20% discount for all AustCham members. Call 02 261 8485.

AustChamThailand Advance

Emirates Fly Emirates and enjoy 10% discount on all fares as an esteemed member of the Australian Chamber of commerce. Be privy to a choice of over 100 destinations worldwide and enjoy our award-winning service. We also offer our First and Business Class customers a complimentary personal airport transfer in a chauffeur-driven car at selected airports. This offer is valid for bookings made by 30 November 2010 when you quote the promotional code: THEMBZY * Mile restrictions apply

Golden Tulip Golden Tulip Mangosteen Mangosteen Resort and Spa Phuket is offering two nights accommodation, breakfasts, one hour spa treatment, an upgrade to a Superior Jacuzzi room and a late check-out to AustCham members only until 31 October 2010. For bookings or further details, please call +66 76 289 399.

Holiday Inn Holiday Inn Silom Bangkok is offering Austcham Members a special 25% discount on Food & Beverages. Enjoy their sumptuous International Buffet at The Brasserie, Northern Indian Cuisine at Tandoor, an outstanding a la carte selection of Afternoon Tea at Orchid Lounge or Relax after a long hard day of work at Hari’s Bar with tasty snack and great music.

For more information please call 02 238 4300 or email reservations@ holidayinnsilom.com

Manohra Dining Cruises Board a beautifully restored antique rice barge and enjoy a gold menu set of ten courses for Baht 1,990 per person or a Silver set menu of eight courses valued at Baht 1,250 per person. The boat departs at 19.30 each evening. For reservations, please call 02 476 0022 Ext. 1416, or email: manohra@manohracruises.com

Millenium Hilton Thai residents can take advantage of Baht 3,000 for room and breakfast with complimentary upgrade to Executive Room or Baht 3,500 for room and breakfast with Complimentary upgrade to Executive Suite and Thai Massage for two persons.

For information and reservation please call 02 442 2000.

Novotel Bangkok When applying for a one-month full-time membership (3,000 Baht net) at In Balance Fitness, receive an extra month complimentary! Enjoy great work stations, pool and sauna / steam rooms. For more information, please call +66 (0) 2 209 8888 or email: hotel@novotelbkk.com

Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel Receive up to 30% discount on regular, half-day or full-day meeting packages when arranging a minimum of ten persons per function.

Valid until 30 September, applicable only for new business. For more information or reservation please call 02 131 1111 ext. 1249 or 1020 or email: Convention.manager@ novotelsuvarnabhumi.com

Raja’s Fashions Raja’s Fashions is offering One Free Egyptian cotton shirt when you buy any suit. This offer is valid until 31 October 2010. Dress sharp - Look sharp - Feel sharp. Please contact 02 538379 or email: rajas@ksc.th.com

Siam@Siam Siam@Siam Design Hotel & Spa is offering special prices for AustCham members at Leisure Class for Single/ Twin for only Baht 3,300 nett including ABF, Wi-Fi Internet Access, 15% discounts on food and beverages and 25% discounts at Spa Ten. Book now till 31 October 2010. For reservation call 02-217-3000 or Email: rsvn@siamatsiam.com

Siam Ocean World Siam Ocean World’s Membership card allows children, adults and families to have unlimited visits for 12 months, including 20% discount on Dive With Sharks, Ocean Walker, Sharks Encounter, Happy Fish Happy Feet activity, Birthday Party and many other fun activities. The membership card also offers a double reward with 50% discount for Glass Bottom Boat activity, 4D movies and 10% discount for food & beverage and Shark Shop.

Available now only at Siam Ocean World, floor B1-B2, Siam Paragon.

Swissotel Nai Lert Park Take advantage of the Swissotel Long Stay Program. Stay in our Swiss

Business Advantage Room for only Baht 2,500 including breakfast.

TheMinimum stay is 14 consecutive nights. This offer is valid till 31 October 2010. ISO Restaurant is now offering for two to dine at our international buffet for the price of one at only Baht 550! For reservations please call +66 (2) 253 0123.

The Aetas Baht 2,750 is being offered to celebrate the opening of “The AETAS Bangkok”. This Superior Room offer comes with ABF and internet and will be upgraded to a Delux Room with a 20% discount on food and beverages at ‘Moments’ and ‘Pause’ if staying for three consecutive nights. For more information or to make a reservation, please call: +66 2 618 9000 or email: contact@aetashotels.com

The Sukhothai Bangkok The Westin Grande is offering a free day meeting with one or two night residential conferences or a free day meetings and free third night for three night residential conferences.

In addition, earn 2,500 bonus Starpoints for every 25 paying rooms confirmed at the time of booking.

Book before the end of September to take advantage of these offers.

Call +66 2 207 8013.

U Chiang Mai The longer you stay, the better rates you will receive. For a Superior room: one night – Baht 3,100 net, two nights 2 consecutive nights – Baht 2,800 net or three consecutive nights – Baht 2,600 net. For a Delux room: one night – Baht 4,100 net, two consecutive nights – Baht 3,800 net or three nights consecutive – Baht 3,600 net. This rate is inclusive of breakfast whenever/wherever for two persons and free Wi-Fi internet access. Offer valid until 31 October.

For more information or reservation please call +66 53 327 000 or email: reserve@uchiangmai.com

Westin Phuket The soon to open Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa Phuket will offer 2010 room nights for Baht 2,010 per night in the lead up to their much anticipated opening scheduled for August 2010. This spectacular offer is valid for booking until 30 September 2010 with the stay period from 1 August till 31 October 2010.

This opening offer is for a Superior Sea View room with stunning ocean views. Guests can book by call: +66 76 335 600 or email: reservations.phuket@westin.com September 2010

41

From the Chamber Office

Message from the ED

L

ast month we farewelled departing Ambassador HE Paul Grigson. Mr. Grigson showed great support to the Chamber over the two years he was here and attended many Chamber events in Bangkok, on the Eastern Seaboard, Chiang Mai and Phuket.

Members had a chance to say goodbye to Mr. Grigson at our second Key Issues Dinner where he was the guest speaker. He provided us with updates on the Thai-Australian business relations and also shared some interesting anecdotes from his time in Thailand. On behalf of all the Chamber staff, I would like to extend our thanks to Mr. Grigson for his support and we wish him all the best with his new role in Canberra.

The fifth All Chambers Sundowners last month was a fantastic night. All 32 Chambers and their members were invited to attend our monthly networking session and, despite heavy rain, almost 550 guests came along. Thank you to dtac and Centara Grand at Central world for their generous support, which helped to make it such an exceptional event.

Last month more than 120 people also attended the Phuket seminar and Sundowners, kindly sponsored by Austrade, Simpson Marine, Andaman Cabriolet, Skippers, the Royal Phuket Marina and Lady Pies. Thank you to Mark Wood and Khun Sineenart from Austrade for updating us on the current trends and opportunities of the marine industry in Australia and for providing updates and materials from Australian marine companies.

It’s now only a few short weeks before the AFL Grand Final Day party, which will be held at the Royal Orchid Sheraton and kindly sponsored by V Australia. This year we will be focussing on the family with family-pricing discounts, a special kid’s room providing entertainment for the young ones and Clown Eckie performing throughout the day.

Calendar of Events Wednesday, 1 September Bangkok Sundowners

18.00 – 21.00 Venue: The Landmark Bangkok Wednesday, 8 September Breakfast – Joint Compensation and Benefits Survey

7.00 – 9.00 Venue: TBA

For the parents there will be an all-day buffet, free-flow drinks, the long-bar, Aussie meat pies, and of course the game, shown live on six large screens to make sure that no one misses a second of the action. Tickets may be purchased directly from the office so make sure (if you haven’t done so already) that you book your tickets soon.

The 2010/11 Handbook is now being finalised and all AustCham members are urged to review and approve their listing as sent out by our publisher Veritas Graphics. If you haven’t yet received a copy of the listing for your approval please let the Chamber office staff know and we will make sure that it is sent to you. There is still some advertising space left in the Handbook. If you are interested in advertising just contact Jim Fowler at Veritas Graphics at: jim@veritasgraphics.com

Friday, 10 September Chiang Mai Sundowners

18.30 – 20.30 Venue: dusitD2 Chiang Mai Saturday, 18 September Voluntary English Teaching

8.00 – 15.00 Venue: Ban Khao Huay Mahad School, Rayong Saturday, 25 September AFL Grand Final Day 2010

9.00 – Early Evening Venue: Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel

As always I look forward to hearing from you!

Brett Gannaway Executive Director, AustCham Thailand www.austchamthailand.com

Thank you to all August sponsors

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September 2010

AustChamThailand Advance

Inside Back Cover

Patana School 1/1 Note: Artwok; get